Waste plant attacks smell

WSN Environmental Services has identified five factors contributing to the recent increase in odour complaints at the Macarthur Resource Recovery Park.

A company spokeswoman said it had taken action for the second time to stop the smell. Work is expected to be completed this month.

Last week the Advertiser reported that some residents were still concerned about the smell coming from the park near Garden Gates Estate despite the $1.6 million spent on operational changes and a plant upgrade in August.

The WSN spokeswoman said the situation improved considerably after the first upgrade with a reduction in complaints.

"Since late September there have been new sources of odour that have affected some residents," she said. "These sources have been identified and a second round of initiatives to minimise the impact of odour on the community is under way."

The five factors identified included weather conditions, water pressure, composting activities, landfill coverage and an "odorous" section of the facility.

The WSN spokeswoman said the company was installing weather monitoring stations at Camden Soil Mix.

"Certain activities will only be allowed when the wind conditions are favourable," she said.

"We are also relocating some Camden Soil Mix activities to reduce odour travel into residential areas."

On October 12 and 13 the facility's odour fence was offline for several hours because of a loss of water pressure at the park.

WSN has taken action to ensure adequate water supply to the odour fence at all times to prevent it shutting down.

The spokeswoman said the company would also fully enclose a malodorous section of the plant and upgrade the extraction fan in this area.

"A partial enclosure was implemented in phase one, however, a full enclosure is now understood to be necessary," she said.

"We will also install an odour fence to neutralise odour from composting activities, we are restricting times for composting activities, relocating the current mixing area and changing the blend of the new mix."